I know I say this pretty much every time I post a bridal session, but I really truly mean it this time… this one is one of my all-time favorites. There were so many things that went right with this session. The weather was perfect – sunny with a nice breeze, blue skies filled with pretty, fluffy clouds. Leah looked beautiful as always, her asymmetrical gown gave her the perfect curves no matter what angle she stood at, and the halter neckline meant that I wasn’t limited on body movement (as I am with many strapless dresses). Leah and I were completely on the same wavelength when it came to locations: my favorite place to shoot is in a forest or garden surrounded by blooming natural trees, tall grass, and flowers, and Leah wanted to wander around The Woodlands (which got its name for a good reason) and just pull over at some random pretty spots for photos. It was also one of my longer bridal sessions, because we were having so much fun and finding so many interesting locations that I completely lost track of time! Normally after about an hour most brides are so tired of being in their dress already that they just want to call it a day, but Leah was such a trooper and was so into trying new things that we kept going for a good 3-4 hours!
This one is going to be a two-parter, but you’ll find out why soon.. For now, here are some of my faves from the “normal” part of the session:
This image is so quintessentially Leah.. She’s always laughing, always having a great time. You can’t really be around Leah for more than five seconds and not smile!
I have this thing about “signature images”… I’m always looking for images that encompass everything that I want my brand and my style to be about. For me, these two images are the embodiment of my brand. Southern, romantic, vintage, timeless, soft, elegant, fashion-inspired, relaxed, fun.. These two images represent all of it!
Stay tuned later this week for part two of this session, with a fun twist (that will also function as a T4B – Tips for Brides post!).
It’s pretty much common sense for any business person to never do business with their friends and family.. Well, apparently I didn’t get that memo because my favorite weddings to shoot are the ones I do for people I have known for years. It seems like the photos come out so much better when you know so many members of the wedding party and everyone feels comfortable having you around. I already know Lisa and Grant’s wedding is going to be exactly like that – it will practically be a T-Camp reunion! T-Camp was an organization at our alma mater, Texas A&M, that helped incoming transfer students learn about the traditions and culture in Aggieland. One year not too long ago, Lisa and I were counselors in Camp Stratta, and Grant was one of our venerable co-chairs. When you spend so much time together, you’re bound to have a few love connections, and sure enough, Lisa and Grant got hooked on each other! I have so many great memories with these guys, not the least of which was the nickname that plagued me for months – Steakballs – so I’m super excited to be a part of their wedding day!!
I’d been wanting to do a session in Wal-Mart, but I wasn’t sure that I could get a couple to agree to it.. Then along came Grant and Lisa, who are totally chill and fun and always up for anything, so they agreed to be my guinea pigs! I also can’t go in a Wal-Mart without hearing Lisa’s voice in my head yelling “Iiiiiii knoooooow!!” in a thick Southern drawl (part of an old Camp Stratta skit), so it’s somewhat fitting. Lisa and Grant, thanks so much for volunteering to try some new and crazy things out with me, and for being great friends. Can’t wait for the wedding!
One of the things I pride myself on is being a strictly weddings-only photographer.. Weddings require so much time and attention, and it’s really tough to shoot 25+ weddings a year and do anything else (or at least do it well). That said, every now and then I do something completely out of my comfort zone. Not only does it keep me from being burnt out, but it gives me a chance to think outside the box and push myself as a photographer. When friend, wedding coordinator, and fellow Kappa Delta Kelly Simants of Sweet Pea Events had her little boy Carson, I couldn’t resist getting that cutie and his beautiful parents in front of my camera for a newborn session!
While he was napping I couldn’t resist getting some details off all his cute little baby parts.. I just adore those little baby fingernails!
This it was playtime with Mom and Dad! Carson wasn’t too sure what to think of this one…
I think I speak for women everywhere when I say that there is nothing sweeter or more endearing than watching a Daddy with his child. My boyfriend Jason took a photo of his brother Joey holding his son the day he was born, and it’s one of my favorite photos of all time. I tear up just thinking about it! This one has that same effect for me.
This is Carson’s adorable cousin Taylor, who stopped by for a few photos with her new cuz!
Last but not least, the many hilarious faces of Carson Simants!
I had a blast with baby Carson and his family and it was so wonderful getting to stretch my photographic muscles and try something different! That said, if you’ve got a newborn and you’d like some beautiful photos, I strongly recommend hiring my good friend
Brittani Louise, she is a wonderful person and a great photographer!
Caroline is one of those girls who just seems to have it all. She is drop dead beautiful (her bone structure is to die for), extremely smart, comes from a great family, has impeccable style, and has a really solid set of morals and values. When I first met her, I immediately pegged her as this beautiful, trendy, put-together PR girl who would take over the world in her pearls and high heels. Now that I have had the pleasure of getting to know her a little bit better and seeing her make some huge life changes over the past couple of years, I realize that she is such a complex, interesting, giving person, and one of those rare individuals who actually lives their faith, rather than just paying lip service to it. At her wedding this past weekend, one of her bridesmaids mentioned that Caroline would do anything for a friend, and almost instantly you saw every female in the room nod their heads in agreement. I always knew that Caroline was a special person, but seeing how many friends she had at her wedding, and how much they all loved and cared for her, made me realize how lucky I am to be able to call this girl a friend, as well. And I am uber lucky to have been able to get her in front of my camera for her wedding photographs! Here are a few from her bridal session at the Park Cities Hilton in Dallas:
I’m so excited to be featured on Luxecetera’s blog as a featured branding case. I can’t say enough wonderful things about the girls at Luxe.. Ashley did an incredible job with my branding, I couldn’t be happier with it. If you love my branding as much as I do, do me a favor and head over there to leave them a comment letting them know what a wonderful job they did. They deserve all the kudos they can get!
If you’re looking to overhaul your branding (one of the two most important investments you can make in your business!), go to the Luxecetera website right this second and get on their waiting list. Their prices are very reasonable, and their work is stellar. You will not be disappointed, that I can promise you!
I can also attest that the money I have spent on branding has already paid for itself. I’ve had so many more inquiries since overhauling my brand, and a lot more attention from coordinators, wedding industry blogs, and other photographers. And best of all, the attention I’m getting is coming from people who have the same aesthetic vision and style as I do, so I’m starting to find that I am booking brides that really mesh with me, my images, and my artistic style. That allows me to do a better job for them, and to enjoy the work that I do even more, and that’s priceless!
